“Tatu, you’ve stopped talking to us altogether,” Lena murmured, avoiding the thought of going home. She couldnt bear to hear those words: “Ive fallen in love with someone else.” Could anyone survive them, let alone understand? And what about the children? They adored their father.
Switching on the lights, Nicholas confirmed the house was empty. Textbooks lay scattered in the boys roomhomework half-done, as usual. He sank into his armchair, covering his face, unsure how to begin the conversation with his wife.
“Im exhausted,” he muttered to himself. “I hate coming back to an empty house.” He dialed his sons number.
“Where are you all? Im home, and its deserted.”
“At Grans. Shes feeling poorly. Well be back soon.”
Nicholas fretted, searching for the right words. Vera was 25, flame-haired and green-eyedshe couldve had any man but chose him. Ten years younger, stunning.
Lately, leaving her grew harder. He spun elaborate excuses, thinking retirement might suit writing novelshis alibis came too easily.
Lena was sharp, a respected marketing manager, admired for her wit and kindness. Attractive, but not extraordinarynot like Vera, who greeted him in silk robes.
Hed always believed their marriage solid, their parenting sound. Lena balanced work and family effortlessly. Whod have guessed it would crumble?
The key turned in the lock. He panickedtonight wasnt the night. The boys rushed to him, chattering about school.
“Dinner?” Lena asked.
“Not hungry. Ill sleep.”
Her frown deepened. His behavior lately unsettled her.
At breakfast, Nicholas brooded silently.
“Dad, youve stopped talking to us,” the elder son ventured.
“Dont be daft. Adults have problems children neednt hear. Hurry up if you want a lift.”
Lena packed lunches and apples, her unease growing. “Ill talk to him tonight,” she decided, heading to work.
Dinner passed without Nicholas. He returned near midnight, offering no explanation. She heard him drink water and retreat to bed.
Next morning, she confronted him. “Explain this.”
“Tonight,” he said curtly.
***
“Shes found another woman,” Nadia said when Lena confided.
“Watch your words. Weve been married ten years.”
“Thats why. Hes distant, comes home lateno explanations.”
“Howd you know?” Lena frowned.
“Ive been there. Pity youre next.”
Lena dreaded going home, dreaded hearing: “I love someone else.” But change required words. She quickened her step.
Alone at the kitchen table, she tensed at the locks click. Tonight, Nicholas seemed cheerful, even asking about dinner.
“Where are the boys?”
“Doing homework. I can feed you alone.”
He nodded, eating under her gaze. Smart, kind, hardworkingonce, hed loved everything about her. Not now.
“Delicious,” he praised.
“Talk,” Lena pressed.
Silence. He reached for bread, chewing slowly. Finally, he spoke, avoiding her eyes.
“Lena, Ive fallen for another woman. Im leaving. Ill visit the boys, but were done.”
A heavy sigh.
“Youre tossing us aside for selfishness. Easier to abandon your children than deny yourself.”
No reply. He had noneshe was right. Hed fallen, couldnt resist Vera.
“Seems Ive no choice. Youve decided. Or can I change your mind? Know thisI wont take you back.”
“Understood. But I wont return. Veras pregnant. I cant leave her with a newborn.”
“And your two? Does conscience trouble you?”
“Dont make this a tragedy. Families split dailychildren still love their fathers.”
“A baby, eh? Shes lying to steal you faster.”
“Dont speak of what you dont know.”
“Fine. I care nothing for either of you. How will you tell the boys?”
“Whats hard? Lads, come here,” Nicholas called. “Ill tell them now.”
They stood before him. “Mum, were hungry. Homeworks done.”
“Your father has something to say,” Lena said, moving to the window.
“Eat first, then well talk,” Nicholas hedged.
“Done, Dad. What is it?” the elder asked.
Lena wouldnt spare him. Clearing dishes, she said, “Your fathers lost his way. Boys, hes found another woman. Hes leaving.”
“And us?” they chorused.
“Youll have a new mum. I wont interfere.”
Under stunned stares, Lena grabbed her bag, documents, cards, and left.
“Dad, is it true? A new mum?”
Nicholas, stricken, couldnt speak. “Bed. Now,” he barked, retreating.
***
Lena stayed with Nadia, who backed her fully. “You did right,” Nadia said.
“I worry for the boys,” Lena wept.
“Theyll be fine. Nicholas is a cad, but he loves them.”
Sleepless, Lena drank coffee at work, lost in thought. Their future was overunforgivable. Her marriage, once hopeful, now shadowed her soul.
Reality differed from dreams. For years, Nicholas played the good man, the good fathereven Nadia praised him.
But love had died beneath unforgivable mistakes.
Nicholas bore the blame. She yearned to see the boys. Finishing her coffee, she braced for workthen the phone rang.
“When are you taking them?” Nicholas demanded. “How could you leave them? Youre their mother!”
“And you? We vowed to care for them. I kept my wordyou traded them for some… Is this your care?”
“Enough. Be home today.”
She hung up, staring blankly at her screen. Resolve hardenedtime to purge him from her mind. Decision made, she felt lighter. She needed her children.
At lunch, she fetched them from school. The elder, William, ran to her; soon, Michael followed. “Mum, I missed you.”
“Me too. Listenno matter what happens with your father, Ill always love you. Understood?”
“Mummy,” Michael whispered. “I love you. I dont want a new mum.”
“I know, darling. Your father loves another. He wont live with us, but hell visit. Be patientIll see you daily. Im always here.”
William, older, understood. “Mum, you wont leave us?”
“Never,” she smiled.
She drove them home, then returned to work. Seeing them eased her. Meanwhile, Vera called Nicholas, annoyed. “You know stress harms me. Where are you? Come tonight.”
At home, the boys waited, homework done, TV on.
“Wheres Mum?”
“Dont know.”
“Homework?”
“Done.”
“Pack up. Were moving.”
“To meet our new mum?”
“Yes.”
“What if we dont want her?”
“Since when do you decide? Your mother leftshe doesnt want you.” Michael protested, but William hissed, “Quiet!”
An hour later, they rang Veras doorbell.
“Finally,” she said, swinging the door open. Three pairs of eyes met hersWilliams shut tight.
“Get dressed,” Nicholas told her.
She blocked the doorway. “Im homeI dress as I please. Who are these?”
She moved to shut the door, but Nicholas shoved past.
“Youll share a room tonight. Well sort it tomorrow.”
Vera gaped. “Wrong address?”
“Quiet. Ill explain.”
“Fine. Ill wait in bed.”
***
The boys heard shouting, then crying, then silence. They slept. Morning cameNicholas roused them.
“Wash up. Breakfast.”
“Vera, whats to eat? The fridge is empty.”
“Did you shop? Ask when its full,” she snapped, leaving.
He gave them tea and toast, then drove them to school. After class, Lena met them. They detailed Vera and Nicholass fight. Lena nearly smiled.
“Hungry?”
“Yes.”
This routine lasted a week. Friday, Nicholas didnt take them to Veras. They ordered takeout, feasted, then he left briefly. Returning, he announced theyd stay home. Vera was the reason.
This time, she wore loungewear, didnt invite him in, barely glanced at him. Nicholas stared, baffledhow quickly love faded.
“Vera, theyre my children. I cant abandon them, not even for you. If youd waitedLena wouldve taken them. But you demand everything now.”
“I wont house them.
